A client insists that everything is contaminated and scrubs her hands constantly. This compulsive behavior is primarily meant to:

The compulsive behavior of constantly scrubbing hands in this context is primarily a mechanism to temporarily ease anxiety. Individuals experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often engage in compulsive behaviors as a way to manage overwhelming anxiety related to their obsessive thoughts. In this situation, the belief that everything is contaminated triggers significant distress, prompting the individual to wash their hands frequently as a strategy to relieve this anxiety, albeit briefly.

This behavior is not necessarily aimed at self-punishment, attention-seeking, or following external commands, which suggests different psychological motivations. The primary goal of the compulsive action here is to achieve a sense of relief from the anxiety caused by the intrusive thoughts about contamination. Understanding this relationship between the compulsive behavior and anxiety is crucial in recognizing and addressing OCD-related behaviors effectively.